Oasis Grower Solutions Announces New Southeast Territory Sales Manager
KENT, Ohio (April 16, 2025) - Oasis Grower Solutions, a division of Smithers-Oasis, today announced that horticulture industry veteran Paul Gaydos has joined the Oasis Grower Solutions team as Territory Sales Manager for a newly created Southeast U.S. sales territory, effective April 14, 2025. Smithers-Oasis Director of Global Grower Operations & Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., made the announcement as he welcomed Gaydos to the Oasis Grower Solutions team.
Precision Hydroponic Growers Now Have Two New Climate-Optimized, Automation-Ready OASIS® AeroSubstrates
These next-generation singulated foam substrates are the latest additions to the rapidly expanding OASIS® AeroSubstrates family. KENT, Ohio (November 18, 2024) — Controlled-environment hydroponic growers now have two new singulated precision substrates from Oasis Grower Solutions to help fuel their success in the challenging and competitive CEA market. From climate change and rapidly evolving technologies to consumer demand for reliable, sustainable, year-round production, today’s CEA growers face challenges that demand new approaches. Propagation media pioneer Oasis Grower Solutions has once again responded to the industry’s need with real-world, grower-driven solutions: OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray, two new automation-ready engineered foam substrates optimized for crop and environmental demands. Developed specifically for precision hydroponic farming, like their predecessors in the OASIS® AeroSubstrates family, new food-safe singulated OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray provide growers with input-responsive substrate options that target specific crops, water demands, seasonal or year-round climate conditions, and more. OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray, ideal for hydroponic cultivation in mild to moderate climates, excels at supporting crops, climates and systems with lower water demand. In contrast, OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray targets water-demanding operational conditions; its higher water-holding capacity suits warmer climates, as well as crops and growing conditions with higher water demand — including finicky crops like spinach. Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., Oasis Grower Solutions Director of Global Grower Operations and Research, was lead scientist on the team that developed the core technology behind the new additions to OASIS® AeroSubstrates. He was also the driving force behind the Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Footprint Assessment that confirmed the engineered substrate technology’s remarkably low carbon footprint. “Our purpose at Oasis Grower Solutions is to develop innovative solutions that solve problems for growers, from propagation and cultivation to sustainability,” Dr. Rapaka says. “With OASIS® AeroSubstrates, we brought precision growing into the root zone and made these next-generation substrates functional elements in the cultivation process. With new OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray, both automated and manual growers of all sizes can now experience the benefits of these precision hydroponic substrates and grow more profitably and more sustainably.” With labor-saving OASIS® AeroSubstrates, hydroponic growers enjoy optimal root zone water-to-air ratios, uniform germination, rapid root penetration, and unrestricted seedling growth. The ready-on-demand, preloaded plug trays prevent root tangling during propagation, eliminate root breakage and damage during transplant, and encourage superior post-transplant performance. Dr. Rapaka adds, “Like our new OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray for vegetative floriculture propagation, these next-generation OASIS® AeroSubstrates for precision hydroponics also offer unprecedented cleanliness for hydroponic farmers. Food safe and free of pests and pathogens, they deliver a physically cleaner cultivation experience, from seeding through cultivation and harvest.” OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray engineered precision hydroponic substrates are available from national and international distributors in pre-dibbled and preloaded 72, 105, and 128 count single- and multi-seed plug trays. For more information, contact Oasis Grower Solutions at +1 (855) 585-4769 or visit the website at: www.oasisgrowersolutions.com. ### About OASIS® AeroSubstrates: With OASIS® AeroSubstrates, the Oasis Grower Solutions Research, Innovation & Development (RI&D) team made dramatic advances in the core technology of engineered foam substrates for precision hydroponics. With extensive research incorporating advanced chemistry, the team developed a foundational substrate with a unique open-celled structure. The resulting food-safe, pathogen-free hydroponic substrates target specific environmental conditions, climates, crops and growing systems to balance optimal air porosities with water-holding capacities. About Oasis Grower Solutions: As a pioneer in propagation media, Oasis Grower Solutions has been innovating in direct response to commercial growers’ substrate needs for 55 years. With a passion for global impact, the Oasis Grower Solutions team of floriculture, horticulture and CEA researchers and specialists is committed to supporting grower success. From vegetative propagation media and hydroponic substrates to hydroponic fertilizer, wetting agents, postharvest products and greenhouse cleaners, Oasis Grower Solutions products, services and people help growers succeed. Visit us at oasisgrowersolutions.com/ and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/oasis-grower-solutions/. Oasis Grower Solutions is a Division of Smithers-Oasis. About Smithers-Oasis: Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE® and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands, founded in 1954, 1938 and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA.
Oasis Grower Solutions Expands Team With New Plant Scientist
KENT, Ohio (October 2, 2024) - Oasis Grower Solutions, a division of Smithers-Oasis, today announced that Erin Yafuso, Ph.D., has joined the expanding Oasis Grower Solutions team in a newly created position of Plant Scientist, effective October 1, 2024. Smithers-Oasis Director of Global Grower Operations & Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., made the announcement as he welcomed Dr. Yafuso to the Oasis Grower Solutions team. In her role as Plant Scientist with the division, Dr. Yafuso will have global responsibilities and report directly to Dr. Rapaka. “I’m extremely pleased to have Dr. Yafuso as part of our team,” Dr. Rapaka said. “This new position will play an important role as we continue to advance the science and development of innovative new substrates and expand into emerging areas of vital importance for sustainable controlled environment agriculture with grower-driven, real-world solutions. After an intensive search to fill the position, it was clear that Dr. Yafuso is a terrific match both for the scientific challenges ahead and for our team.” Dr. Yafuso’s work with Oasis Grower Solutions will involve all aspects of propagation, production and post-harvest quality of floriculture and hydroponic food crops grown under controlled environmental conditions. Special emphasis will be given to specialty substrates for propagation, soilless cultivation and hydroponic production, as well as the development of sustainable and biobased solutions to improve growth and quality of controlled environmental agricultural crops. In addition to conducting plant science experiments, Dr. Yafuso will collaborate closely with other team members to successfully develop and launch new products. Dr. Yafuso received her Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida, Gainesville after receiving her M.S. in Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering and her B.S. in Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, both from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Prior to joining Oasis Grower Solutions, Dr. Yafuso most recently held a three-year postdoctoral research horticulturist position with the USDA ARS in Toledo, Ohio, where her work focused on nutrient optimization of strawberry mother plant and subsequent daughter crowns in controlled environments for propagation. ### About Oasis Grower Solutions: As a pioneer in propagation media, Oasis Grower Solutions has been innovating in direct response to commercial growers’ substrate needs for 55 years. With a passion for global impact, the Oasis Grower Solutions team of floriculture, horticulture and CEA researchers and specialists is committed to supporting grower success. From vegetative propagation media and hydroponic substrates to hydroponic fertilizer, wetting agents, postharvest products and greenhouse cleaners, Oasis Grower Solutions products, services and people help growers succeed. Visit us at oasisgrowersolutions.com/ and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/oasis-grower-solutions/. Oasis Grower Solutions is a Division of Smithers-Oasis. About Smithers-Oasis: Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE® and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands, founded in 1954, 1938 and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA.
New OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray Singulated Foam Substrate Ushers in the Future of Precision Vegetative Propagation
This next-generation, automation-ready engineered substrate from Oasis Grower Solutions delivers uniform, consistent, superior young plant quality — plus up to 20% faster times to root, extract and transplant. KENT, Ohio (July 8, 2024) — Vegetative propagators in today’s floriculture industry understand that extra days on the bench mean smaller margins. But too often, young plant producers chasing faster turnover times risk losing quality, consistency and uniformity. OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray singulated engineered substrate from propagation media pioneer Oasis Grower Solutions (OGS) is here to change that. Developed specifically in response to the needs of precision vegetative propagators, this new singulated foam substrate elevates the propagation experience and provides the competitive edge large- and small-scale operators need. In trials with loose fill and specialty substrates, such as stabilized and bonded substrates, OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray consistently delivered up to 20% faster times to root, extract and transplant — with superior results at every step. Oasis Grower Solutions Director of Global Grower Operations and Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D. was lead scientist on the team that developed the remarkable next-generation technology behind the new OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray. Dr. Rapaka emphasizes that this grower-driven propagation substrate provides real-world solutions to growers’ needs. “Vegetative propagation is challenging in itself and gets further complicated when cuttings are imported from offshore locations. Despite the rigorous efforts taken by offshore farms, cuttings are not necessarily always consistent and may not arrive in high quality,” he explains. “The OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray was exclusively formulated to fast track the recovery process of those vegetative cuttings that were excised and shipped for 3 to 4 days, often under unfavorable conditions.” With OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray, propagators enjoy damage-free sticking, faster cutting recovery, profuse root and shoot growth, extremely uniform and consistent young plants, shorter production cycles, cleaner propagation areas, easy and earlier extraction, and vigorous transplant growth. “The advanced surfactant technology and open cell matrix make the water readily available during one of the most crucial stages of the propagation process. As a result, the cuttings become fully functional to jumpstart the rooting process,” Dr. Rapaka shares. “With OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray, we achieved a new benchmark for reduced substrate resistance, strength and density where even delicate herbaceous plant material can express their full rooting potential. The custom plug and tray design allows seamless integration with the automation process and easy extraction of the plugs.” OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray Benefits In OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray and Oasis Grower Solutions, vegetative propagators find a partner to help lift their results to next-generation heights. This singulated engineered foam substrate is ideal for vegetative propagation of a wide variety of floriculture crops, culinary herbs, tropicals, industrial hemp and similar crops, including challenging fragile-stemmed varieties and stage III tissue culture crops. Designed for easy use and handling in automated and manual growing operations, OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray delivers the following benefits and more: Faster cutting rehydration – Advanced surfactant technology supports rapid cutting recovery and an earlier reduction in misting frequency, reducing labor and pest and pathogen pressures. Faster, damage-free sticking – Pre-dibbled substrate’s ultra-low density and resistance enables faster, easier cutting insertion without breakage or tip damage, even for challenging fragile-stemmed varieties. Faster cutting establishment and rooting – Unique cellular matrix encourages rapid root penetration, vigorous rooting, and improved fine root architecture and branching, while eliminating risk of overwatering when used properly. Profuse root and shoot development – Optimized, consistent air-to-water-ratio supports profuse growth and vigor, producing young plants with extreme uniformity, consistency and quality. Up to 20% reduced bench times – In trials, vegetative annuals propagated in OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray are consistently up to 20% faster to root, extract and transplant compared to loose fill and specialty substrates such as stabilized and bonded media. Vigorous transplant growth – Ultrafine cell structure and superior capillarity create an outstanding interface with transplant media, including peat, wood fiber and other blends. Faster, cleaner propagation areas – From cleaner benches and floors with less algae and fungus gnats to super-clean young plant production, including easy extraction and transplant, growers enjoy a cleaner substrate experience. “I cannot stress enough about the all-round cleanliness this product offers. This not only helps reduce pest and disease pressure and benefit the production of clean and healthy young plants during that immediate crop cycle, but also beyond that rotation with the next propagation cycles,” Dr. Rapaka adds. “We are thrilled to offer every grower, large and small, an ultimate propagation experience from stick to transplant with precision, cleanliness and performance. This technology allows faster recovery, rooting and transplant thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.” Pre-dibbled OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray singulated engineered foam substrate is available pre-loaded in 72, 105, and 128 count plug sheets from national and international distributors. For more information, contact Oasis Grower Solutions at (855) 585-4769 or visit the website at: www.oasisgrowersolutions.com. You can find the Oasis Grower Solutions team and OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Tray singulated foam propagation substrate in Booth #1317 at Cultivate’24 in Columbus, Ohio, July 13-16, 2024. ### About Oasis Grower Solutions: As a pioneer in propagation media, Oasis Grower Solutions has been innovating in direct response to commercial growers’ substrate needs for 55 years. With a passion for global impact, the Oasis Grower Solutions team of floriculture, horticulture and CEA researchers and specialists is committed to supporting grower success. From vegetative propagation media and hydroponic substrates to hydroponic fertilizer, wetting agents, postharvest products and greenhouse cleaners, Oasis Grower Solutions products, services and people help growers succeed. Visit us at oasisgrowersolutions.com/ and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/oasis-grower-solutions/. Oasis Grower Solutions is a Division of Smithers-Oasis. About Smithers-Oasis: Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE® and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands, founded in 1954, 1938 and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA. SOURCE: Oasis Grower Solutions For more information, contact: Emily Lenzo, Marketing Communications Specialist Email: [email protected] Oasis Grower Solutions – Division of Smithers-Oasis
Oasis Grower Solutions to launch new OASIS® AeroSelect™ precision hydroponic substrate at Indoor Ag-Con
Engineered for increased water-holding capacity in precision hydroponics, new grower-driven OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet targets crops and climates with higher water demands. KENT, Ohio (March 7, 2024) — Propagation media pioneer Oasis Grower Solutions understands there’s no single, one-size-fits-all substrate solution for precision hydroponics in controlled growing environments. Or at least there shouldn’t be. CEA growers navigating climate change and indoor farming’s rapid evolution need substrates aligned with their challenges and competitive needs. OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet engineered foam substrate, the newest addition to the OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates line, was developed specifically in response to grower requests for an OASIS® AeroFamily option with higher water-holding capacity for warmer seasonal or year-round climates, as well as crops, conditions or growing systems with higher water demands. The new OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet builds on the success of OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugSheet, an ultra-low-density hydroponic substrate with maximum air porosity launched in 2021. With the new OASIS™ AeroSelect™ PlugSheet, the Oasis Grower Solutions RI&D (Research, Innovation & Development) team created a finer cell structure with optimal air porosity plus increased water-holding capacity and capillary action. The result is a seed-to-harvest precision hydroponic substrate for higher water demand that delivers superior results, even with challenging crops like spinach. Oasis Grower Solutions Director of Global Grower Operations and Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D.,was lead scientist on the team that developed the next-gen core technology behind OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates. He notes that talk about crop steering and precision growing typically focus on finished plant production, such as buds, flowers and fruits. “We wanted the substrate to be a functional part of the propagation and production process, not just a physical matrix. We developed OASIS® AeroMax™ to bring precision all the way into the root zone, even for young plant production,” Dr. Rapaka says. “Growers loved the benefits of OASIS® AeroMax™ and asked for a substrate for crops and conditions that have higher water demand, so we responded.” Smithers-Oasis Chief Polymer Scientist Paul Kelly, Ph.D., played a crucial role in identifying suitable chemistries for the new substrate. “Just as the Post-It Note was developed from a failed adhesive experiment, I was struggling with a new foam technology for another application,” Dr. Kelly shares. “After discussions with Dr. Rapaka about his needs for a new hydroponic foam product, we decided to try the new foam technology and found successful results.” Dr. Rapaka adds, “We were extremely happy with the outcome because we were able to deliver what growers are looking for, thanks to the new OASIS™ AeroFamily Substrates platform technology. Our outstanding results with spinach and OASIS® AeroSelect™ were a surprise — a bonus we discovered during our crop trials.” OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet Benefits OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet is ideal for hydroponic propagation and production of all leafy greens, including spinach, and microgreens in warmer climates or conditions with higher water demand. Sheets are available pre-dibbled for single- or multi-seed propagation, as well as un-dibbled plain sheets for microgreen production. With OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet engineered foam substrate, growers can go from propagation through NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), DWC (Deep Water Culture) or Dry-Hydroponics production and enjoy the following features and benefits: Finer cell structure balances air porosity with increased water-holding capacity and superior capillary action for finer roots and more branching. Clean, food-safe substrate arrives uncontaminated and free of pests and pathogens, including plant and food-borne pathogens. Ultra-low density encourages uniform germination, rapid root penetration and unrestricted seedling growth for exceptional young plants. Reliable, consistent, structurally stable media delivers uncompromised air-to-water ratio throughout propagation and production. Spongy, semi-rigid substrate minimizes dust generation and improves production handling, especially when wet. Inert substrate maximizes grower flexibility for precision nutrient dosing programs. Unique open matrix eliminates the risk of overwatering, when used properly. OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet engineered foam hydroponic substrate is available from national and international distributors in 50ct, 104ct, 162ct and 276ct single- and multi-seed sheets, pre-dibbled with Oasis Grower Solutions’ precision center-to-center spacing. Microgreens growers can elevate their production with un-dibbled plain OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugSheet. “With OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates, we’ve made a big leap in the right direction,” Dr. Rapaka says. “There is more to be done and more to come in terms of functionality, performance and sustainability.” More OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates will launch later this season, with new options for large-scale, automated operations. ### About OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates: With OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates, the Oasis Grower Solutions Research, Innovation & Development (RI&D) team made dramatic advances in the core technology of engineered foam substrates for precision hydroponics. With extensive research incorporating advanced chemistry, the team developed a foundational substrate with a unique open-celled structure. The resulting food-safe, pathogen-free hydroponic substrates target specific environmental conditions, climates, crops and growing systems to balance optimal air porosities with water-holding capacities. About Oasis Grower Solutions: As a pioneer in propagation media, Oasis Grower Solutions has been innovating in direct response to commercial growers’ substrate needs for more than 50 years. With a passion for global impact, the OGS team of horticulture and CEA researchers and specialists is committed to supporting grower success. From vegetative propagation media and hydroponic substrates to hydroponic fertilizer, wetting agents, postharvest products and greenhouse cleaners, OGS products, services and people help growers succeed. Visit us at oasisgrowersolutions.com/ and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/oasis-grower-solutions/. Oasis Grower Solutions is a Division of Smithers-Oasis. About Smithers-Oasis: Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE® and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands, founded in 1954, 1938 and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA.
Oasis Grower Solutions Releases Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Footprint Assessment of OASIS® AeroMax™ Engineered Foam Substrate
Based on the 2021-2022 production period, the carbon footprint assessment includes product comparisons with two peat products, with surprising results. KENT, Ohio (March 5, 2024) — Engineered growing media pioneer Oasis Grower Solutions, a division of Smithers-Oasis, today released the results of a Cradle-to-Grave carbon footprint assessment of its OASIS® AeroMax™ engineered foam substrate. Launched in 2021, OASIS® AeroMax™ was the first in a line of ultra-low density, next-generation OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates that represent a new core technology for the company’s engineered growing media. Oasis Grower Solutions Director of Global Grower Operations and Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., lead scientist in the development of the substrate technology, explained that the carbon footprint assessment was an important next step after the new technology’s 2021 launch, particularly with the substrate’s focus on precision hydroponics and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). “Sustainability is very important to us at Oasis Grower Solutions and Smithers-Oasis. We understand how important it is to our customers, too. It’s one of the most commonly asked questions we hear. We felt a responsibility to educate ourselves and our customers,” Dr. Rapaka said. “CEA is built on sustainability, and we want to do our part. We wanted to really understand the big picture surrounding the sustainability of this new engineered substrate and its carbon footprint.” OASIS® AeroMax™ Carbon Footprint Assessment Details Conducted by U.K.-based Carbon Footprint, Ltd., the carbon footprint assessment focused on the 2021-2022 production period. In addition to assessing the Cradle-to-Grave product carbon footprint of OASIS® AeroMax™, the study also assessed two peat products for comparison: Gravity Filled Loose Plugs (OASIS® Fertiss® gravity-fed stabilized peat plugs) and Pressed Peat. To determine the greenhouse gas emissions associated with OASIS® AeroMax™ and the two peat products, Carbon Footprint Ltd. conducted a full assessment following established Cradle-to-Grave carbon footprint boundaries for each product, including the following: extraction, processing and transport of raw materials manufacture, processing and packaging of product (including offcut waste) product distribution, usage and disposal relevant transport/freight elements OASIS® AeroMax™ Carbon Footprint Assessment Results The results of the product carbon footprint assessment, specific to OASIS® AeroMax™ substrate, can be seen in Table 1 below. The Cradle-to-Grave carbon emissions of OASIS® AeroMax™ engineered foam substrate were assessed to total 6.40 grams of CO2 equivalent emissions per Functional Unit (FU) — one 47.18 cm3 plug (3.175 cm x 3.90 cm x 3.81 cm). As noted, embodied emissions of raw materials accounted for more than 70% of that total. The results of the carbon footprint assessment’s plug-to-plug product comparison can be seen in Table 2 below, again based on the Functional Unit of one 47.18 cm3 plug. The Cradle-to-Grave CO2 equivalent emissions of OASIS® AeroMax™ substrate, Gravity Filled Loose Plugs and Pressed Peat were assessed at 6.40 grams, 80.08 grams and 278.70 grams respectively. As shown, the CO2 equivalent emissions for Pressed Peat were assessed at 278.70 grams per plug, more than 40 times higher than an equivalent OASIS® AeroMax™ plug. Gravity Filled Loose Plugs, at 80.08 grams of gCO2e per plug, were assessed as 12.5 times higher than an equivalent plug of OASIS® AeroMax™ engineered substrate. Dr. Rapaka said the results surprised even the Oasis Grower Solutions RI&D (Research, Innovation & Development) team. But the carbon footprint assessment represents a starting point, not an end in itself. “We’re going to continue to work on finding ways to lower the carbon footprint of our next-generation engineered OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates even more — and our Gravity Filled Loose Plugs, too. And we’ll use this information to help guide how we develop the next generation of products,” he says. For more information about the OASIS® AeroMax™ carbon footprint report and why Oasis Grower Solutions engineered substrates are environmentally sound choices for precision propagation and production, you’re invited to contact the company at [email protected] or 855.585.4769. ### About OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates: With OASIS® AeroFamily Substrates, the Oasis Grower Solutions Research, Innovation & Development (RI&D) team made dramatic advances in the core technology of engineered foam substrates for precision hydroponics. With extensive research incorporating advanced chemistry, the team developed a foundational substrate with a unique open-celled structure. The resulting food-safe, pathogen-free hydroponic substrates target specific environmental conditions, climates, crops and growing systems to balance optimal air porosities with water-holding capacities. About Oasis Grower Solutions: As a pioneer in propagation media, Oasis Grower Solutions has been innovating in direct response to commercial growers’ substrate needs for more than 50 years. With a passion for global impact, the Oasis Grower Solutions team of horticulture and CEA researchers and specialists is committed to supporting grower success. From vegetative propagation media and hydroponic substrates to hydroponic fertilizer, wetting agents, postharvest products and greenhouse cleaners, Oasis Grower Solutions products, services and people help growers succeed. Visit us at oasisgrowersolutions.com on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/oasis-grower-solutions. Oasis Grower Solutions is a Division of Smithers-Oasis. About Smithers-Oasis: Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE®, and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands founded in 1954, 1938, and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption, and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA. SOURCE: Oasis Grower Solutions For more information, contact: Emily Lenzo, Marketing Communications Specialist Email: [email protected] Oasis Grower Solutions – Division of Smithers-Oasis
Smithers-Oasis Celebrates 70-Year Anniversary
Global leader in floriculture has expanded into new areas of business since 1954. KENT, Ohio USA – 10 January 2024 – Smithers-Oasis, a worldwide leader in the floriculture industry is celebrating its 70th Anniversary. Smithers-Oasis was founded in 1954 by Vernon “V.L.” Smithers, who revolutionized the floral industry with the creation of OASIS® Floral Foam, a water-absorbing design media for florists. Since that start, Smithers-Oasis has grown from a small company in Kent, Ohio, USA to a global organization which sells products into more than 130 countries through its operating units in 19 countries. “I wonder if V.L. Smithers imagined the company he started in 1954 would eventually have a global footprint,” said Robin Kilbride, President and CEO of Smithers-Oasis. “We have customers on every continent! I have to believe we have exceeded V.L.’s wildest dreams.” “Our company’s purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. It starts with our employees and company culture. Then it naturally flows to our products and to our customers,” said Kilbride. “The company’s business divisions and operating units all have the same goal - to provide solutions-based products and services.” Smithers-Oasis is a diverse global manufacturer and marketer of floral foam and design media, floral design tools and accessories, postharvest products, cellular growing media, temperature control packaging, and custom foams for specialized applications. The company’s brands include OASIS® Floral Products, FloraLife® Postharvest Products, OASIS® Grower Solutions, Design Master® Color Sprays and Dyes, Temprecision® Foam, and ThermaBrick® Refrigerant Bricks. When looking to the future, Kilbride exclaimed, “I am very excited about our plans. I think 2024 could be the best year yet in our 70-year history!” To learn more about Smithers-Oasis, visit www.smithersoasis.com. About Smithers-Oasis Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE®, and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands founded in 1954, 1938, and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption, and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA.
Oasis Grower Solutions Introduces OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheet Precision Propagation Media
Next-gen engineered foam substrate sheets meet specific needs of vegetative propagators. KENT, Ohio (November 14, 2023) — To succeed in today’s market, commercial cultivators need every competitive advantage, including a precision propagation substrate that channels success. Propagation media pioneer Oasis Grower Solutions is once again responding to cultivators’ needs with the launch of OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheet, a new engineered foam growing media designed especially for precision vegetative propagation. In developing the OASIS® RhizoPlug® Sheet, the Oasis Grower Solutions research and development team raised its own bar. Inspired by the legacy popularity of OASIS® Rootcubes® and the needs of CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) cultivators, the team’s new generation of engineered foam propagation substrate outperforms its predecessor in the Oasis Grower Solutions line. In developing the new sheet propagation media, the team decreased the foam substrate’s density and resistance to facilitate easy, breakage-free sticking of clones, while refining and improving the media’s cell structure and capillary action. Oasis Grower Solutions Director of Global Grower Operations and Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., lead scientist on the team, shared the focus behind the new precision propagation media. “We listened when growers asked for a product to minimize sticking issues, maximize tip contact and support vigorous rooting,” Rapaka said. “We created OASIS® RhizoPlug™ in response to those needs, so cuttings can express their full rooting potential and our customers can succeed.” Following research with the new media, Allison Justice, Ph.D., founder and CEO of The Hemp Mine, noted that OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheets significantly improved the rooting performance of shoot tip hemp cuttings compared to the preceding generation of media. “Across replicates, we noticed faster establishment and root formation of the cuttings in OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheet growing media,” Justice said. OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheet Benefits OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheets provide propagators with an ideal substrate for vegetative propagation of a wide variety of crops, from industrial hemp clones to floriculture and culinary herb cuttings. Designed for easy use and handling in manual growing operations, OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheets come pre-dibbled with an improved universal star that maximizes clone tip contact, regardless of caliper. Pre-etched grooves in the sheet media ensure separating individual plugs for transplant stays quick and simple, too. With OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheets foam propagation substrate, growers can experience the following features and benefits: Advanced surfactant technology – Clones rehydrate faster, allowing earlier reduction in misting frequency, thereby minimizing conditions favorable to pathogens and pests. Optimized, consistent air-to-water ratio – Clones display faster, more consistent, more uniform rooting, sheet after sheet and batch after batch. Clean, inert, pathogen-free – Limited buffering capacity and nutrients translate to easy Electric Conductivity steering in the root zone. Low substrate density and resistance – Clones stick easily, penetrate the media without breakage or tip damage, and root vigorously with improved fine root architecture. Unique cellular matrix – Used properly, the foam media eliminates the risk of overwatering, promoting faster rooting and reducing bench time — even on challenging crops. Superior capillary action – Ultrafine cell structure improves capillarity and creates an outstanding interface with non-organic or organic media, including peat and coco. Food safe – Sheets arrive clean and uncontaminated and remain food safe when used in conjunction with effective, appropriate food safety programs. OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Sheets engineered foam propagation substrate is available in 50, 104, and 162 count plug sheets from national and international distributors. The company encourages growers to stay tuned to Oasis Grower Solutions for the next Oasis Grower Solutions product launch: OASIS® RhizoPlug™ Trays, developed with large-scale, automated operations in mind. Photo of Industrial Hemp About Oasis Grower Solutions, A division of Smithers-Oasis As a pioneer in propagation media, Oasis Grower Solutions has been innovating in direct response to commercial growers’ substrate needs for more than 50 years. With a passion for global impact, the Oasis Grower Solutions team of horticulture and CEA researchers and specialists is committed to supporting grower success. From vegetative propagation media and hydroponic substrates to hydroponic fertilizer, wetting agents, postharvest products and greenhouse cleaners, Oasis Grower Solutions products, services and people help growers succeed. Visit us at https://oasisgrowersolutions.com/ and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/oasis-grower-solutions/. About Smithers-Oasis Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE®, and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands founded in 1954, 1938, and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption, and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA. SOURCE: Oasis Grower Solutions For more information, contact: Emily Lenzo, Marketing Communications Specialist Email: [email protected] Oasis Grower Solutions – Division of Smithers-Oasis